Trenching machine



Dec. 18, 1951 H. VAN DONSELAAR TRENCHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 31, 194'? Dec. 18, 1951 H. VAN DONSELAAR TRENCHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 31, 1947 Dec. 18, 1951 H. VAN DONSELAAR TRENCl-IING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Wen? Wag Qaniehar @021 Dec. 18, 1951 H. VAN DONSELAAR TREINCHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 51, 1947 Patented Dec. 18, 1 951 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE Application May 31, 1947, Serial No. 751,518 7 Claims. (01. 37-101) The present invention relates to a trenching machine for digging a ditch or trench and more particularly to a trenching machine for digging trenches or ditches on farms to install tile for drainage purposes. Y

Itis an object of the invention among others to provide a trenching machine that is designed for use on a farm to be operated by farm labor; a trenching machine that is economical to manufacture and operate; a trenchingmach-ine that is simple of operation and doesnt require expert help to operate; a trenching machine propelled by the power available on a farm; a trenching machine simple in construction, simple of design and easy to repair in case of breakdown; and a trenching machine that is long lasting and more durable in operation requiring less repair and lost time'in operation. In carrying out the objects or the invention there .is provided a trenching machine with a pair of wheels on an axle. A supporting structure is mounted on the axle between the wheels and has an elevator mounted on the supporting structure. The elevator has a cutting edge on the forward end of the elevator. means associated with the elevator to lower or raise the iorward end of the elevator with respect to the means associated with the elevator. The'means associated with the elevator may be a wheel attached to the forward end of the elevator and the said elevator is adjustable vertically with respect to the wheel to raiseor lower the cutting edge on the forward end of the elevator with respect to the wheel. elevator is slidably mounted on the supporting structure to move horizontally on the sup-porting structure. .There are means attached to the support ing structure accessible from the side of the trenching machine to move the elevator horiaontally'on the supporting structure which may be a roller member attached to the supporting structure on which a rope attached to each end of the elevator winds to move the elevator horizontally on the supporting structure. A power take-off runs from the axle to an idler shaft iournaled in the supporting structure to rotate the idler shaft and a transmission means is between the idler shaft and the elevator to operate the elevator. The power take-off may be a sprocket wheel on the axle with a sprocket chain running to a sprocketwheel on an idler shaft to .rotate the idler shaft. There is a second sprocket wheel on the idler shaft with a sprocket chain running from the elevator and passing over the second sprocket wheel on the idler shaft to operate the elevator. The supporting structure'has apair of spaced fiangesand the elevator apair of grooves on each side thereof receiving the flanges when the elevator is mounted on .the

supporting structure so as to be slidable with There are respect to each other. A post extends perpendicularly from the forward end of the elevator and has a hitch attached thereto to connect with a vehicle to move the trenching machine forward. There are means operable from the supporting structure to move the hitch up and down on the post. A supporting bar runs from the top of the post to the top of the elevator with the length of the supporting bar being adjustable. A shaft is journaled in the supporting structure and when rotated, rotates a second shaft through a worm gear. The second shaft has; a gear on the end thereof to mesh with a gear segment on the forward end of the elevator to raise or lower the forward end of the elevator with respect to the wheel. The post includes a screw therein with the hitch attached to the screw. A second shaft is journaled to the supporting structure and has a beveled gear on the end thereof which meshes with a beveled gear on the end of another shaft with the other end of this shaft connected to the screw to rotate the screw within the post. The hitch is screw threaded and rides on the screw to move up and down on the screw by rotation of the screw.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully describedherewith and will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the trenching machine with the forward end of the trenching machine shown lowered to cut a trench.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the trenching machine.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the trenching machine.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is .a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1. t

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view with parts broken away showing the sprocket chain operating the elevator.

The trenching machine is shown mounted on two wheels 5 and 2 connected by an axle (not shown) in axle housing 3. The wheels i and 2 are regular metal wheels, such as used on most farm machinery, for example mowers and .manure spreaders. A gear box 4 is connected with each wheel 5 and and is the usual gear box used on types of farm implements to allow the implement to move forward or backward without the shifting of gears. A gear box it is mounted on the axle housing 3, next to a sprocket wheel B (Fig. 1), and the rotation of the axle in axle housing 3 is transmitted through gear box 5 to 3 rotate sprocket wheel 6. Power is transmitted from sprocket wheel 6 to operate an elevator, to be later described. If it is desired that sprocket wheel 6 not rotate, as when the trenching machine is being transported to a job, handle I on gear may be actuated and the sprocket Wheel 6 is thrown out of gear with the axle axle housing 3. V

A supporting structure 8 is connected by arms 9 and ID to axle housing 3 with the supporting structure 8 extending forwardly and the supporting structure 8 amply reenforced and supported by cross support members I I. An elevator I2 is mounted on the supporting structure 9 so as to be slidable on supporting structure 8. Figure 4 shows two flanges I3 spaced apart and running along the length of supporting structure 8. The elevator I2 has a groove I4 on each side thereof to receive the flanges I3 therein. The elevator is thus held on the supporting structure 8 and cant fall oif but the elevator I2 can move longitudinally on the supporting structure 8 by the groove I4 moving along flange I3. Figure 1 shows a cord or rope I5 attached to each end of the under side of the elevator I2. Figure 4 shows a roller I6 journaled to a supporting bracket I'I extending from the supporting structure 8. The rope I5 wraps around the roller I6 and a handle I8 connected to the roller I5 is accessible from the side of the trenching machine (Figure 1) to rotate the roller I6. A gear wheel I9 is attached on one end of roller I6 and a pawl on the supporting structure e fits into the space between the gears on wheel I9 to hold the elevator I2 in any adjusted position. As the roller I6 is turned by handle I8, the pawl 26 having been removed from the space between the gears, the rope I5 Winds and unwinds from the roller I6 depending on which direction forward or backward, it is desired to move the elevator I2. The elevator 'I2 moves within the flange. I3 and groove I4 as previously explained.

The elevator I2 has a conveyor belt 2I with upstanding portions 22 attached on the belt 2I and. a sprocket chain on each side of the belt 2I, one sprocket chain 23, being shown in Figure 1. At the lower end of the elevator I2 is a bracket member, one side of which is shown in Figure l at 24. A shaft 25 is journaled in the bracket members 24 and a sprocket wheel 26 is secured to each of the respective ends of the shaft 25. The sprocket chains are engaged and supported by the sprocket Wheels 26. The sprocket chains 23 advance the belt 2| upwardly within the elevator until the top of the elevator I2 is reached. The earth carried by the belt 2I is dumped when the top of elevator I2 is reached into conveyor chute 21, which is adjustable as to length and may direct the earth to the side. A pair of brackets 28 on either side of the top of the elevator I2 support a pair of sprocket wheels 29 over which the sprocket chains 23 pass to direct the belt 2I under the elevator I2.

The supporting structure 9 has brackets on each side of the elevator I2, one bracket being shown at 36 in Figure l. A shaft 3! (Figure 2) has one end journaled in a bearing 32 supported from the supporting structure 8. The shaft 3I has a sprocket wheel on one end thereof with a sprocket chain 33 running from sprocket wheel 6 to rotate shaft 3!. The other end of shaft 3| is journaled in bracket 39 and has mounted thereon sprocket wheels, one of which is shown at 34, over which the chains 23 run. Each chain 23 has idler sprockets 35 adjustable on brackets 4 30 to tighten chains 23. The elevator I2 is operated from the rear axle turning sprocket wheel 6 as the trenching machine moves forward and operates the elevator through shaft 3| and sprocket wheels 34. 1 v

The forward end of the elevator I2 has a cutting edge 36 which cuts the earth 31 and scoopsit into the elevator I2. The forward end of the elevator has brackets 38 attached thereto with a shaft 39 extending between the brackets 38. A yoked member 49 is attached to the shaft 39 39 extending between brackets 38 and pivots about the shaft 39. A wheel M is attached to the yoked member andprovides a forward sup port for the trenching machine. When deepening cuts are made, the wheel 4| rides in the trench already formed by previous cuts. A roller 42 is ahead of the wheel 4I to'contact the side of a trench formed by previous cuts of the trenching machine to prevent the wheel 4| from digging into a side wall of the trench, particularly where the trench curves.

The forward end of the elevator is adjustable vertically with respect to the wheel 4|. This adjustability of the forward end of the elevator, either puts the cutting edge 36 in position to cut the earth 37 or places it above the surface of'the earth so the trenching machine can be transported from place to place. The yoked arm 49 has a gear segment 43 integrally formed with an extension of one yoke portion of yoked arm 49 and extending rearwardly beyond shaft 39. Gear segment 43' is engaged by gear 44 which is secured to the square shaft 45 that is journaled in bracket 46. Bevel gear 44 riding on gear segment 43 pivots yoke member 46 about shaft 33 which either raises or lowers the forward end of elevator I2. A supporting structure 41 is mounted on top of supporting structure 8 providing a journal 48 for a shaft 49. A wheel 50 is accessible from a seat 5I on the trenching machine for an operator. The shaft 49 has a worm gear 52 that turns alike gear 53- attached to shaft 45. By the operator rotating wheel 56, the forward end of the elevator I2 or cutting edge 36 on the forward end of the elevator I2 can be raised or lowered. The amount of the out can be controlled and the cutting edge 36 can be moved out of contact with the ground if desired.

An upright post 54 extends from the forward end of the elevator I2 and has a hitch 55 asso ciated therewith. A tractor or other pulling vehicle is attached to the hitch; any means found on a farm is suitable for this purpose be it'horses or tractor. The post 54 has a screw 56 mounted therein and rotatable within the post 54. The hitch 55 has a screw threaded portion 51 into which the screw 56 attaches. As the screw 56 rotates within the post 54 the hitch 55 is moved up and down on "the screw 55. The post 54 is pivotally mounted on shaft 39 by bearing portion 58, and the end of screw 56 attaches into gear box 59. As the gear box 59 is actuated, the end of screw 56 entered into gear box 59 is turned and the screw 56 rotated. A shaft 68 attaches into gear box 59 (Figure 5) and extends rearwardly to be journaled in bracket 6I (Figure 2). The shaft 66 extends through. bracket 6| and has a bevel gear 62 on the end thereof. A shaft 63 extends through the worm gear 52 and shaft 49 journaled in bearing 48 and is rotatable within the shaft 49 and worm gear 52. A worm gear 64 is attached on one end of the shaft 63 to mesh with worm gear 62 to rotate shaft 69 and thus move the hitch 55 up and down on post 54. 'A

"wheel 65 is attachedto the other end .of shaft 6.3 and is "operated by anoperator from seat 51 to .ra-ise'or lower the rhitch as desired.

The .post 54 has supporting braces "55 running from, the upper end of the post 54 to the upper end of elevator .12. The supporting braces -66 are pivotally mounted to the post at 6 1 and pivotally mounted to the upper end of the elevator H2 at 68. The supporting :bracesiiii carry cross pieces 59 and it and ithesupporting braces are telescopically joined at?! with the cross piece 69 joining the male .tel'escoping members and the "cross piece in joining-the female telescoping members. Betweenlthe cross pieces 59 and TH! runs a ratchet piece t2. Bearing portions 13 rotatably support a rotating crank 14 which has a wheel 15 with gears meshing in the ratchet piece 72. By turn" "ing the crank 14.,uthe supporting braces can be moved with relation to each other to lengthen or shorten the "supporting braces 65.

The trenching machine in being transported to a afield to? start trenching operations will ride on wheels I and-2. :The forward end or cutting edge 36 must be raised sufiiciently'that the cutting edge v36 will be :out of contact with the f ground. The hitch 55 "is attached to a pulling means, such as a tractor and thehitch .55' is properly adjusted on the post 54 by turning 'wheel to give a sufficientrise to "cutting edge 36.. The handle '1 is adjusted to throw sprocket wheel '6 out of :gear with theaxleso "the elevator f2 does not operate when the trenching'ma'chine is being pulled ito:a job.

When on the job. and with the course of the trench laid out, the trenching machine is sad- :justed ioricutting and digging purposes. The elevator 1I2 is moved longitudinally on the supporting structure 8 :so that the cutting edge It will rest on the ground 3'l-b'y turning the handle it torotateroller was previously described. The :angle or pitch of elevator 2 as shown in Figure l is the proper "anglefor cutting or slicing the earth :as the trenching machine moves forwardly. The handle I is actuated to put the sprocket wheel :5 into gear with the axle so the *elevator may lbB operated as previously described. The hitch is properly adjusted by turning wheel :55th the proper height for pulling the trenching machine. The gear segment 43 and bevel gear M are designed to lower the forward end of the elevator a. maximum distance of ten inches. The .operator'must examine the soil and determine how much of a cuttheequipment "can'make in the particular soil; The couplingbetween the tractor and trenching machine has an automatic release similar in every respect to the automatic release used between a plow and tractor; with the release set to uncouple when the pulling force on the trenching machine exceeds a factor of safety arbitrarily chosen. ,If the ground is closely packed it will take more force to make a deep or maximum cut of ten inches which may exceed the factor of safety chosen. Therefore the operator must judge what depth cut can be made and adjust the forward end ofthe elevator l2 from wheelii! as previously described to the proper depth.

The trenching machine is now ready to be pulled forwardly. The wheel 4! rides on the surface of the ground 31 for the first cut or within the-trenchtor subsequent cuts. 'The tractor pulling the trenching machine may straddle the trench being cut as may the trenching machine itself. The wheels and! are about eight .ieet apart approximately and the trench is about one made longer originally.

foot wide. The earth up to a ten inch depth is sliced ofi by the cuttingedge :36 as the trenching machine moves forwardly, the earth being moved upwardly by the elevatorfibelt 21 which discharges the conveyed earth .into chutewZT. ChuteZl directs the earth to the left crrightzand deposits it between the trench and the. wheels I and 2. The chute 21 is extensible and adjustable.

When the end of the trench is reached, itx-is necessary to bring the cutting edge 36 out of the trench, turn the trenching machine. around and go "back up the trench. The operator onseat 51 must raise the cutting edge 35 coming out of the trench by turning wheel to and must also lower hitch 55 by turning wheel 65. fm thesturn-ing operation. After turning and the trenching machine entered into the trench again, the elevator 12 :is moved forwardly on the supporting vire-me 8, to maintain the cutting angle. of the elevator i 2 the same as the depth of the trench increases. turning crank [8 as previously described. The operator then properly adjusts the hitch :55 so that wheel M rides on :the bottom of the trench and adjusts cutting edge-36 for the depth of cut desired by turning wheel i.

.As the trenching machine moves back and forth in the trench, making the trench deeper .anddeeper, the elevator I2; moves .forwardly on supporting structure -8 until the rear end of the elevator 52 reaches supporting structure 8. .rltlis noted that. shafts 45 and 6B are of sulficient length that as the shafts -45 and E36 move for- .warclly with the elevator l2, they slide through bracket 55 but never out of bracket ii.

In some instancesit may be desirable to dig a trench deeper; than the limits of elevator it. That is, when the elevator H has moved for- .wardly :as :far as it can on supporting structure 8, the trenching machine has reached themax-i- 'depth it can dig a trench. If additional depth isdesired'the supporting braces 66 may be brought into play. By turning handle -14 the telescoping sections making up the supporting brace 56 can be lengthened which will in turn drop the cutting edge '36.. It is noted, however, that the angle of the elevator I 2 will be changed that its pitch will be steeper and the bite taken each time.should-be'decreased. It is to be understooc that lengthening "the supporting braces 66 is an emergency and if deeper ditches .arenecessary as a general rule,'the'elevaitor 11-2 shouldbe force from a tractor coupled to hitch 55 to pull the trenching machine forward is distributed bypost 54 to the forward end ofelevator 42 by the post 5'4 coupled to shaft and by supporting braces '65 to therear of the elevator 12. it will be understood that' the invention has been described for purpose of illustration and explanation and that changes and variations'are possible without departing from the scopeof the invention; all such modifications changes are intended to be included in the appended claims.

I claim: f l. A trenching machine comprising a pair of wheels on an axis, a supporting structure mounton. the axle between the wheelsfan elevator mounted on the supporting structure, a cutting on the orward end of the levator, said outing structure presen ing a oi spaced on the supporting structure, a groove on side ofthe elevator receiving the flanges on the supporting structure, said elevator slidable longitudinally ion the flanges and means associated with the elevator to lower or raise the forward end of the elevator with respect to the means associated with the elevator.

' 2. A trenching machine comprising a pair of wheels on an axle, a supporting structure mounted on the axle between the wheels, an elevator mounted on the supporting structure, a cutting edge on the forward end of the elevator, said supporting structure presenting a pair of spaced flanges on the supporting structure, a groove on each side of the elevator receiving the flanges on the supporting structure, means attached to the supporting structure accessible from the side of the trenching machine to move the elevator 1ongitudinally on the flanges with respect to the supporting structure, and means associated with the elevator to lower Or raise the forward end of the elevator with respect to the means associated with the elevator.

3. A trenching machine comprising a pair of wheels on' an axle, a supporting structure mounted on the axle between the wheels, an elevator mounted on' the supporting structure, a cutting edge on the forward end of the elevator, a wheel attached to the forward end of the ele vator, said forward end ofthe elevator movable vertically with respect to the wheel, a post extending perpendicularly from the forward end of the elevator having a hitch attached thereto to connect with a vehicle to move the trenching machine forward, means operable from the supporting structure to move the hitch up and down on the post, a supporting bar running from the top of the post to the top of the elevator with the length of the supporting bar being adjustable and a second means operable from the supporting structure connecting with the forward end of the elevator and wheel to raise or lower the forward end of the elevator with respect to the wheel. I

4. A trenching machine comprising a pair of wheels on an axle, a supporting structure mounted on the axle between the wheels, an elevator mounted on the supporting structure, 'a cutting edge on the forward end of the elevator, a wheel attached to the forward end of the elevator, said forward end of the elevator movable vertically with respect to the wheel, a post including a screw therein extending perpendicularly from the forward end of the elevator having a hitch attached thereto to connect with a vehicle to move the trenching machine forward, a shaft journaled in the supporting structure rotating a second shaft attached to the screw within the hitch to move the hitch up and down and means operable from the supporting structure connecting with the forward end of the elevator and wheel to raise or lower the forward end of the elevator with respect to the wheel.

5. A trenching machine comprising a pair of wheels on an axle, a supporting structure mounted on the axle between the wheels, an elevator mounted on the supporting structure, a cutting edge on the forward end of the elevator, a wheel attached to the forward end of the elevator, said forward end of the elevator movable vertically with respect to the wheel, a post including a screw therein extending perpendicularly from the forward end of the elevator having a hitch attached thereto to connect with a vehicle to move the trenching machine forward, a shaft journaled in the supporting structure having a beveled gear on the shaft end, a second shaft having a bevel gear to mesh with the bevel gear on the first shaft with said second shaft rotating the screw in the post, said hitch screw threaded and attached to the screw and moved up and down by the turning of the screw and means 'operable from the supporting structure connecting with the forward end of the elevator and wheel to raise or lower the forward end of the elevator with respect to the wheel.

6. A trenching machine comprising a pair of wheels on an axle, a supporting structure mounted on the axle between the wheels, an elevator mounted on the supporting structure, a cutting edge on the forward end of the elevator, a wheel attached to the forward end of the elevator, a shaft journaled in the supporting structure rotating a pair of shafts extending from the first shaft, one of said shafts connecting into a gear mechanism on the forward end of the elevator, said shaft rotating to raise or lower the forward end of the elevator with respect to the wheel by movement on the gear mechanism,

a post including a screw therein extending perpendicularly from the forward end of the ele vator having a hitch attached thereto to connect with a vehicle to move the trenching machine forward, another shaft running from the first shaft and attached to the screw in the post and said shaft rotating to turn the screw to move the hitch vertically on the screw.

7'. A trenching machine comprising a pair of wheels on an axle, a supporting structure mounted on the axle between the wheels, an elevator mounted on the supporting structure, a cutting edge on the forward end of the elevator. a wheel attached to the forward end of the elevator, said forward end of the elevator movable vertically with respect to the wheel, a shaft journaled inthe supporting structure rotating a pair of shafts extending from the first shaft. one of said shafts rotating through worm gears, a gear segment on the forward end of the elevator meshing with a gear on the end of the shaft rotated through the worm gear, said shaft when rotating raising or lowering the forward end of the elevator with respect to the wheel by movement on the gear mechanism, a post including a screw therein extending perpendicularly from the forward end of the elevator having a hitch attached thereto to connect with a vehicle to move the trenching machine "forward, the other shaft having a bevel gear meshing with a bevel gear on the endof the shaft journaled in the supporting structure, said other shaft rotating the screw in the post and said hitch screw threaded and attached to the screw'in the post and moved up and down by the turning of the screw.

HENRY VAN DONSELAAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in.the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 213,897 Grant et al. Apr. 1, 1879 300,318 Hershberger June 10, 1884 626,725 Scott et a1. June 13, 1899 804,096 Brown Nov. '1, 1905 854,925 Buchanan May 28,

2,042,232 Little May 26, 1936 2,158,340 Spieth May 16, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date- 34,292 Denmark ..2 Mar. 10, 1925 

